The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, April 26, 2000, Page 4, Image 4
Opinion Wrestling with the truth Neumann s silence covers a bigger problem The recent Nebraska wrestling debacle has many angles. Most obvious are the improprieties of Coach Tim Neumann who, if we are to believe the numerous testimoni als of former wrestlers, gave under-the-table money to ath letes to help cover for the lack of scholarships in the sport. If we aren’t to believe them (though many signs point to Neumann doing just as they have said), then the coach did something bad enough to force his resignation. All the secrecy seems a little foolish to us at this point. Chances are high that Neumann could squelch any off-the wall rumors simply by admitting whatever acts he may have committed. It’s hatd to believe he’s sworn to secrecy on the issue, especially in the cases of the wrestlers who have com Npumntm pleted their eligibility. The fans and the public ought to should take know and need to know. In the process, Neumann could trie point out another reality - that what nnnnrtunih; Neumann has done is wrong, but upjjjur luruiy also m jncreasjng part of college ath tO Set the letics. Win, but win the right way - the Nebraska way. One wonders if tOpsy-tUTVy such a thing was always possible for college wrestling. system Over the years, wrestling sup Straipht porters haven’t been shy about ^ * attacking Title IX, the gender equity law that forces women’s sports to gamer money and support that would normally go to smaller men’s sports. Many universities have had to drop wrestling because of it. Nebraska kept the sport and thrived doing it. But indications show that the Comhuskers cheated to do it. Attacking Title IX, at least in this respect, is sexist and wrong. Women’s sports make an easier target. The real cul prit: college football. College football eats up 85 scholarships, a whopper of a number. The game loses money at most universities - not here, but most. College coaches insist that they can go no lower than 85 scholarships. Of course, they said the same when it dipped below 105. Please. Consider that Nebraska has eight - eight - I-backs with full scholarships at this university. In other words, five scrubs go to NU for free. But an All-American wrestler, even a national champion wrestler, does not. Care to explain the logic in that? If there were any, there wouldn’t have been any resignations. Period. And instead of shying away from his wrongdoing, Neumann should take the opportunity to set that topsy-turvy system straight. Editorial Board Josh Funk (editor) • J.J. Harder • Cliff Hicks • Samuel McKewon • Dane Stickney • Kimberly Sweet • Lindsay Young Letter Policy The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit or reject any sub missions. Submitted material becomes property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned. Anonymous material will not be published. Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affiliation, if any. Submit material to: Daily Nebraskan, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448 or e-mail to: letters@unl.edu Editorial Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the spring 2000 Daily Nebraskan. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its employees, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A col umn is solely the opinion of its author. The Board of Regents acts as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. The UNL Publications Board, established by the regents, supervises the publication of the paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsi bility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of its student employees. The Daily Nebraskan strives to print fair and accurate coverage; any corrections or clarifications will be printed on page three. Obermeyer’s VIEW AT TH£ L\£P cetiT£d-..A&m >■**&**• /T^o^£Srv!oN?T\ l rHr< Ai£ AtL > \ m£~.mvT i \Rdw,ws*/ * ! Letters to the EDITOR We Aren’t Witches I deeply regret Professor Reinhard’s characterization of the Academic Rights and Responsibilities Professional Conduct Committee charged with hearing professional conduct com plaints against him as a “witch-hunt mob.’’ To the contrary, this committee, composed of six thoughtful mem bers of the faculty drawn from many departments and colleges, spent many hours, over the course of a year, in serious and careful consider ation of the complaints and the docu ments and witnesses involved in this complicated case. Our conclusions were the result of the most careful scrutiny and dis cussion of all the particulars. Moreover, the committee followed the procedures set out by the Academic Senate’s Academic Rights and Responsibilities Committee to the letter. Under these procedures, Professor Reinhard was offered every opportunity to participate in the consideration of the complaints against him. His letter is based on an incomplete knowledge of the materi als considered by the committee, and perhaps also on a less than perfect understanding of the ARRC proce dures, and should, therefore, be eval uated accordingly. Pamela F. Starr professor of music Chairwoman, ARRC Professional Conduct Committee Lost in the Middle East Page two of Tuesday’s DN con tained a very confusing article. The headline read “Execution method in Iraq condemned.” No problem. The sub-headline read “Human rights groups assail number of beheadings in Iran.” Well, it’s only one letter difference, Iran ... Iraq, who can tell the difference anyway? But, if you read the article, it refers only to actions taking place in Saudi Arabia. I read the whole article trying to figure out how Iraq/n came in to play. Nothing, just Saudi Arabia. What gives? And do I really need to know that a human head flies about three feet when severed from the body? Tina Boilesen department of food sciences Words of Wisell’s Wisdom I have decided that for my last act as a student at this university before I graduate, I would give some words of wisdom to all those who are being left behind. As a 35-year-old who has attended this university in three dif ferent decades, I can safely say this might help some of you. 1. ) For all of you who live on City Campus, take at least two classes on East Campus. When you do gradu ate, you will have to deal with the type of culture (not that multicultur al/race ethnicity course you are signed up for) that is prevalent on East Campus. This is one that is laid back, open, honest and has values. Don’t worry, there aren’t cattle run ning freely over there, and there is even indoor plumbing. 2. ) Apply for your senior check early. This way, you should have it soon enough to have it rechecked before you graduate. Also go see your adviser for things other than when you need help getting into a class. 3. ) DON’T DROP OUT! Returning to college stinks. The only positive thing that happens is on the first day of class when the young, single people seek you out for your expertise and the aura of safety you project because of the wedding band on your finger. 4. ) The people who run this university only want your money. Now and in the future! The more you make later, the more they will try to get you to remember how great of a time you had while you were attend ing here. Don’t be fooled then, because they still treat the students the same now as they did when I first attended back in 1982. The programs are the same, just access has changed. Thank you and good luck kids, ’cause it is only gonna get easier once you leave! William W.Wisell senior agribusiness